Half of Europe witnessed record heat stress this summer — EU
The EU's climate monitor said this summer was third-warmest for the continent on record. European rivers also registered their lowest average flows since records began in 1992.
This summer, a staggering 52% of Europe experienced severe heat stress, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Service. Temperatures felt over 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) were deemed "very strong" heat stress, while anything above 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) was categorized as "strong" heat stress.
This summer's heat was not only intense but also widespread, making it the third-warmest on record for the continent and the hottest in Western Europe. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the C3S, noted that the heat's geographical scope was particularly remarkable. European rivers recorded their lowest average flows since 1992 records began, and 56% of the European ocean was warmer than average, with 22% experiencing record-high summer sea surface temperatures.
The summer was marked by nearly half of Europe suffering from drought, and the heat waves caused over ten thousand deaths, disrupted economic activity, and affected agricultural harvests. In some cities, alcohol sales were temporarily restricted due to the extreme heat. The frequent heat waves and dry conditions also led to wildfires in France, Spain, and Germany, with one of the biggest fires in German history in North Rhine-Westphalia prompting evacuations. These wildfires not only destroyed buildings but also contributed to environmental air pollution.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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